ACT Team Service Coordinator - Chittenden County

Responsibilities:

• Engage in relationship building/rapport building with clients and provide service from a “Choice” perspective as well as client centered, harm reduction, and strengths based approaches.
• Collaborate with clients in the formulation and maintenance of a comprehensive, Medicaid-compliant service plan that is reviewed and modified with the client on a regular basis
• Assist clients in navigating the housing path including viewing units, assistance with moving in, life skill development, landlord/client disputes, etc.
• Develop a working knowledge of relevant community resources in Bennington County and demonstrate a willingness to explore new or unfamiliar resources as necessary
• Assist clients with referrals to community agencies to ensure that they have full access to services and resources they require, i.e. entitlements, benefits, advocacy, addiction services, etc.
• Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation (including case notes, face sheets, statistics, letters, petty cash receipts, etc.).
• Provide one to one support and counseling on life skills, housing concerns, and health maintenance, including such tasks as medication support, housekeeping, and assisting clients to manage their monies, including preparing budgets with clients and computing expenses.
• Coordinate and monitor referrals to community services, and advocate for client participation in them; manage contacts with outside agencies and act as client liaison where indicated
• Educate, inform and advocate for clients regarding benefits and entitlements (Social Security, Public Assistance, food stamps, etc.).
• Participate in 24/7 on call services rotation with other team members.
• May be subject to PREA (Prison, Rape, Eliminaton, Act) background check “if needed” for agency needs.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to persons with disabilities and other minority populations.
• Prior experience working in a mental health and/or harm reduction agency, preferably in community services preferred.
• A good understanding of the issues facing persons with mental health challenges or substance use issues, particularly as related to meeting basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and advocacy. In particular, knowledge of the criminal justice system and how it impacts individuals with mental illness is valuable
• Excellent communication, writing, and computer skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, sound knowledge of supportive counseling skills and the ability to form relationships with marginalized individuals
• Ability to structure time, develop work priorities independently, and meet program expectations with regard to documenting interactions
• Excellent independent problem solving skills and demonstrated ability to intuitively approach challenging situations
• Knowledge of community resources for mental health and substance use
• Valid driver’s license, a reliable personal vehicle available for work purposes and current automobile insurance required
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds
• Ability to work on-call (rotating schedule)
• Ability to work within a Housing First, client centered, harm reduction framework
• Lived experience of mental health challenges and homelessness will be considered an asset
• Prior experience or education in nursing, substance abuse support, employment support, life skills support, or benefits coordination is idealautomobile insurance required

• $20-$21/Hour
• Annual Increases

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Long Term Disability/Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)
• 9 Paid Holidays Annually
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Longevity Recognition Rewards
• Access to a wide variety of Pathways facilitated trainings including Intentional Peer Support